Gospel legend Pastor John P. Kee is heading into the 2026 Stellar Gospel Music Awards with seven nominations-but this year, he says he isn't simply showing up hoping to collect another trophy.
He's showing up to say thank you.
Ahead of the 41st annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, the celebrated singer and pastor opened up about the extraordinary struggles behind his latest chapter, including battles with prostate cancer and necrotizing fasciitis, a potentially life-threatening flesh-eating infection that Kee said once left him unable to move.
Through it all, Kee says gospel music became more than his career. It became part of his survival.
"It's almost like a covering to me-anything I have ever gone through, that's my go-to," Kee said in an interview ahead of the awards. "It's the good news music."
For longtime fans, Kee's story makes his return to the Stellar Awards stage particularly emotional.
The Charlotte pastor, who leads The New Life Fellowship City of Praise, has never hidden the darker chapters of his past. Before becoming one of gospel music's most recognizable voices, Kee has spoken about selling drugs for four years during his younger years before experiencing a dramatic spiritual transformation.
Then came serious health battles.
Kee previously faced prostate cancer, and a few years ago, his health reportedly took another frightening turn when he contracted necrotizing fasciitis. The illness left the gospel veteran unable to move and facing yet another major fight.
But Kee says the music he has spent decades giving to other people came back to minister to him.
Gospel became his "go-to."
Now the man behind gospel favorites such as "Stand," "Show Up!" and "Life & Favor" is preparing to return to one of gospel music's biggest stages with a very different perspective.
Kee has already won approximately 30 Stellar Awards during his legendary career. Another nomination-or even another win-might seem almost routine for an artist with his résumé.
Not this time.
"I'm running to the Stellars this year to say thank you-thank you for praying for me when I got sick," Kee said.
And he certainly has plenty to celebrate.
Kee heads into this year's ceremony with seven Stellar Award nominations, tying for the most nominations of the year. He is also scheduled to perform when the awards take over the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, Aug. 15.
For Kee, that means the celebration is happening practically on home turf.
After decades of awards, hit records, ministry, personal battles and brushes with serious illness, the 2026 Stellars are shaping up to be less of a victory lap and more of a testimony.
The trophies may be waiting.
But John P. Kee already knows what he's going there to celebrate: he's still here, he's still singing, and the gospel music that he spent a lifetime sharing with others became the music that helped carry him through some of his darkest days.
